The 2019 CMT Artists of the Year show started off with a big bang when Johnny Galecki from The Big Bang Theory took the stage early on Wednesday night (Oct. 16) at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center to help present Luke Combs, one of this year’s honorees, with his award.
“Just a few years ago, Luke (Combs) was essentially broke, getting by on odd jobs and playing gigs at college bars. When he stared writing and recording his own songs,” Galecki explained, “one of those turned out to be the massive online hit ’Hurricane.’ Since then, Luke has had millions of streams, a debut album that broke every sales record, and now he’s selling out arenas all over the country. This isn’t just a success story. This is an explosion.”
Then he introduced Chrissy Metz, from yet another massively popular TV show This Is Us, so she could honor Combs with her version of Combs’ “Even Though I’m Leaving.”
Combs was busy doing what he does best, playing out on the road, but he called into the show live to share his gratitude with the crowd in Nashville and the viewers at home. “I really wish I could be there with you guys tonight, but I have a show all the way in Bozeman, Montana that starts in just a few minutes. I want to say thanks to my friend Chrissy Metz: you’re so awesome, you’ve been a great friend, and I’m absolutely honored that you sang one of my songs for me,” Combs said adding his appreciation for the fans, his team, and his band and crew. “The country music community as a whole has welcomed me with open arms, and it means a whole heck of a lot to me.
“This one’s going real high on the shelf.”
